Page 11 of The Darkest Knight

Chapter Five

Tammie stomped up the stairs, her heels echoing like tiny thunderclaps, frustration bubbling with every step. She was on a mission to find Gwen, though her anger dulled to a simmer as she approached her sister’s bedroom door. She paused, her hand on the doorknob. Gwen and Tristan were always … well, occupied. Bursting in might not be her wisest move.

Instead, she knocked lightly. “Gwen?”

“Come in,” her sister called out, her voice calm and inviting.

Tammie poked her head in. The late afternoon light spilled through the window, casting a warm glow over the room. Gwen sat serenely in a chair by the window, her fingers idly tracing the armrest, while Tristan lounged opposite her. His broad shoulders and imposing frame made the chair look comically undersized, as if it might collapse beneath him at any moment. At Tammie’s entry, Tristan stood, his movements fluid despite his size, and offered a small bow.

“Hello, Tamara. Is everything well?” His deep, velvety voice filled the room, carrying an old-world charm.

“Tristan!” Gwen scolded, shooting him a look. “Modern English, remember?”

He smirked, his hazel eyes alight with mischief, before turning back to Tammie. His smile—an easy, lopsided grin—could have melted stone. “Hi, Tammie. What’s up?”

Gwen giggled, her cheeks glowing as she glanced at him. They were annoyingly adorable together.

Tristan stretched his arms over his head. “I have work to do, so I’ll leave you two to talk.” He leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to Gwen’s lips, and whispered something that made her smile grow impossibly brighter. Before he left, he winked at Tammie, a gesture so casual and charming that it warmed her cheeks despite herself.

As the door closed behind him, Tammie turned back to her sister, finding her still basking in the glow of Tristan’s departure. “Isn’t he amazing?” Gwen sighed, sinking further into her chair. “I can’t wait for you and Niall—or whoever—to fall in love.”

The bubble of warmth in Tammie’s chest burst. Her earlier irritation roared back to life. “Oh, really?” she snapped, her glare sharp enough to cut glass. “It definitely will not be Niall. I thought you said a knight always keeps his word. It’s been an entire day, Gwen. No Niall. No Liam. No nada!”

Gwen’s smile vanished, replaced by a look of genuine concern. “Oh, goodness,” she murmured, her hand flying to her mouth. “I hope nothing bad happened to them.”

Tammie crossed her arms. “Didn’t they say they’d send word if something came up? Or some sort of message?”

“It’s not always possible,” Gwen said, her tone quieter now, worry clouding her eyes. “If they’re in Atlandia, there are places they can’t just … come in and out of. That realm is awful. Worse than the North Pole.”

“You’ve never been to the North Pole,” Tammie pointed out dryly. “Unless you snuck off and went there in the past few months.”

“You know what I mean,” Gwen shot back, her tone impatient.

“Well, frozen wasteland or not, Niall needs to hurry up and get back. I’ve got an enchantment to break, and Gerard is starting to lose patience with me.” Tammie threw her hands up in frustration. “I can’t sit here waiting forever!”

“What did Gerard say?” Gwen asked, frowning.

“Oh, nothing much,” Tammie said with mock sweetness, rolling her eyes. “Just little things like, ‘How much longer until I see you again?’ and ‘My friends don’t believe you’re real.’ You know, the usual.”

Gwen shook her head, exasperation creeping into her voice. “Oh boy. Well, I’m sure he’ll wait. From everything you’ve said, he’s completely smitten. And Sabrina says he’s a really nice guy.”

Tammie huffed as she sank into the chair Tristan had vacated, her fingers tapping impatiently on the armrest. “Maybe. But if Niall doesn’t get back soon, I’m going to lose my mind. And Gerard … well, let’s just say his patience has its limits.”

Her voice grew more resolute. “It’s been nearly two weeks since I arrived, Gwen. Another week, and I’m heading back to Georgia. Even if it’s just for a couple of days.”

Gwen frowned, her brows knitting together in concern. “Let’s try summoning Niall,” she suggested, her voice tinged with unease. “His absence is … troubling.”

Tammie leaned forward, and they clasped hands tightly as they prepared for the summoning. Closing her eyes, she focused on Niall, visualizing his face, his form, his presence. At first, the image was clear, but then the edges blurred. Fog swirled through her mind, thick and suffocating, swallowing her thoughts. A dark figure emerged, its silhouette stark against the gray haze.

She tried to break free, but the figure held her captive, like invisible chains binding her mind. Pale, claw-like hands extended toward her, unnatural and menacing.

“It is time for your destiny, your truth.”

The creature’s voice reverberated through her, deep and resonant, chilling her to the bone. Her body began to tremble as the words soaked into her consciousness.

“No!” she gasped, her voice defiant but quivering.

“Prepare yourself. It’s almost time.”